MILWAUKEE -- Confirming a move that had been anticipated, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle has given Wednesday's starting assignment to Jeanmar Gomez.

Hurdle also revealed that the suspension appeal of the man whose place Gomez is taking, Jonathan Sanchez, will be heard via video conferencing on Friday. Sanchez has drawn a six-game suspension for hitting St. Louis' Allen Craig with a pitch Friday night. He will remain available out of the Bucs' bullpen until that process is completed.

The choice of Gomez to face the Brewers on Wednesday afternoon was an easy one for Hurdle. The Pirates did not seriously consider recalling Andrew Oliver or Gerrit Cole for the assignment.

"Both are showing good signs, but are still working on repeating their delivery and on their command," Hurdle said. "There'd be no benefit to calling someone up for one time, when we've got a guy in-house who has started in the past. It was the appropriate time to make that switch."

Gomez has made five sharp appearances in relief, posting an ERA of 2.63 in 13 2/3 innings. He worked 4 1/3 innings on Friday, after Sanchez was ejected before retiring a batter.

Gomez, a 25-year-old Venezuela native, made 38 starts for the Indians in 2010-12, averaging 5 1/3 innings in them. He has never faced Milwaukee.

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog Change for a Nickel. He can also be found on Twitter @Tom_Singer. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.